The Good Old....

Yes. The Old Testament.

I'm taking on the journey of reading the Bible cover to cover with an excellent friend.

This is where I will be tracking all that I learn for other people who may be interested?

First:

-There are many things that I desire to know more about by reading the Old Testament. One of these things is getting a deeper understanding of God's character. (Not like "role" like "pretend" but really, his CHARACTERISTICS)

So far I have noted these things:

1. God is specific. Very specific. While instructing the Israelites how to make the Tent of Meeting he stretched all the way to what colors, symbols, placements, stitching and amounts of everything. At first I thought this was incredibly annoying to read. But then I began to realize that God is specific (especially during this crucial time) because he wants to be set apart. Set apart from all other gods. So that the religion of the Israelites would be different and specific, unlike all other pagan religions.

2. God is forgiving. It's kind of obvious through the exodus of the Israelites that God must be SO full of mercy to continue to lead these crazy people. Even when they decide to worship other gods, or completely break the rules (which, if I were them and knew that I could get blown up with fire at any moment for burning the wrong incense, I WOULDN'T DO IT.) But God always keeps His promises, even if it's not in "our" ideal timing.

3. God is just. It is incredibly easy for me to get my mind tangled while reading the OT. One second God is being so nice and loving and then he kills your family. But I always have to revert back and think that even in the simple things, your parents discipline you so that you may be corrected and grow. Things (sins) cannot (or could not) go unpunished in order to... keep some order, for one. And how would we ever grow, or learn, or mature if we didn't have an consequences for our actions?

A good friend gave me this verse one night at church as a comfort, and I believe it to tie into all things above (and all things Biblical):

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;

He rises to show you compassion.

For the Lord is a God of justice,

Blessed are all who wait for Him."

-Isaiah 30:18